College of Engineering and Computing Awards
The Miami University College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) presents awards to faculty, staff, community members, and supporters who have demonstrated outstanding excellence in their areas of expertise. Our most recent honorees are listed below.
2026 Shreya and Amit Jain CEC Outstanding Researcher Award
John Femiani
John Femiani, Ph.D. has built a distinguished research record that combines technical depth, interdisciplinary reach, and meaningful real-world application. A professor in Miami University’s Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, Femiani’s work spans computer graphics, computer vision, remote sensing, 3D geometry, surface parameterization, and document image analysis. His scholarship includes extensive journal and conference publications, award-winning papers, and multiple patents, reflecting the depth and practical significance of his research. Femiani has consistently advanced work with technical rigor and real-world relevance, applying his expertise to areas including assistive technology, health, anthropology, and military and intelligence training. His current AI-enabled mine detection research further demonstrates the impact of his work in addressing complex detection challenges. A dedicated mentor to undergraduate and graduate researchers, Femiani is frequently recognized by students for his guidance, support, and encouragement. By connecting foundational computing research with high-impact applications and student development, Femiani’s work advances discovery, innovation, and public benefit.
Amit and Shreya Jain have endowed the Faculty Research Award to recognize their belief in and support of the role of active research on academic endeavors. Amit served as Chair of Miami University's Department of Systems Analysis from 1977 to 1979, followed by a distinguished career in consulting and various tech and IT start ups. Shreya earned her MBA from Miami in 1979.
2025
Muhammad P. Jahan, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
2024
Mark Scott, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
2023
J. Andrew Jones, Associate Professor of Chemical, Paper, and Biomedical Engineering
2022
Philippe Giabbanelli, Associate Professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering
2021
Justin Ye, Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
2020
Jason Berberich, Associate Professor of Chemical, Paper and Biomedical Engineering
Andrew Sommers, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
2019
Gokhan Sahin, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
2018
Lei Kerr, Spooner Schallek Professor of Chemical, Paper and Biomedical Engineering
2017
Kumar Singh, Professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
2026 Arthur Olson Generational Outstanding Teaching Excellence Award
Alim Dewan
Alim Dewan, Ph.D. is honored for his sustained excellence in teaching and his commitment to sparking imagination and curiosity in the classroom. An Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Chemical, Paper, and Biomedical Engineering, Dewan has continually strengthened his teaching through study, experimentation, and a thoughtful embrace of student feedback. His development of 32 in-class demonstrations helps students connect engineering principles to memorable, often counterintuitive results, deepening comprehension while maintaining a high level of engagement. Dewan also incorporates guided in-class note taking as a purposeful strategy to keep students actively involved and support those still developing effective study habits. Through his creativity, persistence, and student-centered approach, Alim Dewan exemplifies the spirit of the Arthur Olson Generational Teaching Excellence Award and helps CEC students build both technical understanding and genuine curiosity for engineering.
The Arthur Olson Generational Teaching Excellence Award is named in honor of Arthur Andrew Olson, Sr. and Arthur Andrew Olson, Jr. by their namesake grandson/son: Arthur Andrew Olson III – a 1972 Systems Analysis graduate from Miami University’s College of Engineering and Computing.
All three individuals pursued a business career closely tied to the United States government’s recognition of the pivotal importance of technology in the prospering growth of the country’s economy and the welfare of its citizens; all three individuals were/are registered intellectual property attorneys.
The elder Olsons rose to prominence regionally and nationally as senior partners in the intellectual property firm which eventually bore both of their names during the course of the 20th century (from Olson, Mecklenburger, Von Holst, Pendleton & Neuman to Neuman, Williams, Anderson & Olson), and established themselves individually as professionals highly regarded for professionalism and excellence amongst their peers and clients. Through their work on behalf of individual inventors as well as highly regarded Fortune 500 corporations, these individuals established and protected the intellectual property rights of their clients while helping to shape the United States government’s intellectual property policies so critical to the advancement of technology and the standard of living of its citizens.
2025
Carter Hamilton, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
2024
Dave Hartup, Associate Teaching Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
2023
Alan Ferrenberg, Associate Teaching Professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering
2022
Andrew Paluch, Associate Professor of Chemical, Paper, and Biomedical Engineering
2021
James Chagdes, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
2020
Jessica Sparks, Professor of Chemical, Paper and Biomedical Engineering
2019
Jeong-Hoi Koo, Professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
2018
DJ Rao, Associate Professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering
2017
Kumar Singh, Professor of Mechancial and Manufacturing Engineering
2016
Dmitriy Garmatyuk, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
2015
Mike Zmuda, Associate Professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering
2014
Michael Bailey Van Kuren, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, and the C. Michael Amstrong Professor of Engineering and Interactive Media in AIMS
2013
Bo Brinkman, Associate Professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering
2012
Andrew D. Sommers, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
2011
Lukasz Opyrchal, Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering
2010
Douglas W. Coffin, Professor of Chemical and Paper Engineering
2009
Paula A. Harrison, Professor of Nursing
2007*
James C. Moller, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
2007*
Yu Tong (Jade) Morton, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
2006
Elizabeth Howard, Professor of Computer and Information Technology
2005
Alton F. Sanders, Professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering, Emeritus
2004
Anna Dollár, Professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
* Two were awarded in 2007, none in 2008.
2026 CEC Outstanding Graduate Student Award
James Herbert
James Herbert has distinguished himself through exceptional leadership, teaching, and research contributions. As a teaching assistant for MME 331, he dedicated countless hours to developing hands-on CNC machining projects and proactively mastered course material to better support students, earning widespread respect for his commitment and mentorship. In the CRAFT Lab, he has independently led a research team, developed a long-term publication strategy, and served as lead author on multiple papers focused on advanced manufacturing topics, including physics-informed machine learning, Industry 4.0, and digital twinning. Known for his curiosity, technical excellence, integrity, and willingness to help others succeed, James has made a lasting impact on both the classroom and research environments while inspiring those around him.
2026 CEC Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award
Daniela Inclezan
Daniela Inclezan, Ph.D. is the Maryloo Spooner Schallek Endowed Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at Miami University, where she teaches courses in data structures, database systems, comparative programming languages, and knowledge representation. An accomplished researcher in artificial intelligence, her work focuses on knowledge representation, logic programming, and intelligent systems that reason about actions and change, with applications spanning sustainability, social sciences, and automated narrative understanding. Equally dedicated to teaching, Associate Professor Inclezan established Miami’s study abroad workshop in Italy and strives to help students recognize the important role computer scientists play in addressing complex social and environmental challenges through innovation and technology.
2026 Alumni Engagement Award
William (Bill) Levenderis
William Levenderis graduated from Miami University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Paper Science and Engineering. He spent his first 14 years in the pulp and paper industry working for International Paper, Mohawk Fine Papers and Appleton Papers (Appvion), primarily focused on process control. He’s now been with Cornerstone Controls for 12 years as an application engineer and currently project manager focused on industrial automation.
Bill exemplifies the spirit of this award through a deep and enthusiastic commitment to student engagement and career development. He is a passionate supporter of key initiatives such as Professional Development Day and Evening with Industry, consistently showing up to connect with and support students across the College. Known for his energy and genuine investment in student success, William actively provides valuable resources, mentorship, and industry connections, creating meaningful opportunities that help students confidently navigate their career paths.
The Alumni Engagement Award, sponsored by Megan Hymore '04, recognizes an alumnus who makes a meaningful impact on the College by positively influencing students through engagement, mentorship, advocacy, or innovation. This award celebrates alumni who remain actively connected and dedicated to supporting student success while strengthening the broader College community.
About this award's sponsor:
Megan Hymore '04 (Engineering Management) has been an active volunteer for a variety of programs and initiatives, engaging directly with students and faculty across campus. From serving on departmental and college advisory boards to regularly guest lecturing in classes in CEC and FSB, to serving as an advisor to Redhawk Ventures and providing direct mentoring and guidance to students interested in the entreprenuerial landscape (especially in Cincinnati), Megan has impacted generations of Miami students even as a young alumna herself.
2026 Industry Champion Award
Haley Schumacher
Haley Schumacher from the Whiting-Turner Construction Company is the recipient of the Industry Champion Award.
Haley exemplifies the spirit of the Industry Champion Award through deep and consistent engagement across the College. She has made a lasting impact by speaking to student organizations about careers in construction, attending the annual Evening with Industry, maintaining a strong presence at career fairs, and actively supporting the Construction Management course by teaching a class, organizing building tours, and creating valuable industry connections for students. Her involvement in Professional Development Day and service on the newly-formed Industry Relations Advisory Board further demonstrate a genuine commitment to student success and to advancing the College’s mission.
The Industry Champion Award, sponsored by Gary Martindale '88, recognizes an external individual or organization who generously contributes their time and expertise while actively championing the College within their own company. This award honors those who go above and beyond to advocate for the College, strengthen industry partnerships, and create meaningful opportunities that enhance student learning and career readiness.
About this award's sponsor:
Gary Martindale '88 (Systems Analysis) has been a passionate CEC alumnus championing Miami in Indianapolis and especially at Eli Lilly. Prior to his retirement, Gary played a vital role in recruiting Miamians to Lilly since the early 1990s. He has also been an active member of multiple departmental and college advisory boards since 2009, and continues even in retirement to continue board service, regularly attending various alumni events and advocating for Miami within Lilly.
2026 Industry Engagement Award
Powell Industries
Powell Industries exemplifies the spirit of this award through its consistent and impactful engagement with students across multiple touchpoints. From actively participating in the first-year experience Professional Development Day to creating meaningful student recruitment pathways, the company has built strong, authentic connections with students. Their role as a client on two senior design projects has provided valuable real-world experience, allowing students to apply their skills while interacting directly with industry professionals. Through these efforts, Powell Industries has demonstrated a genuine investment in student growth, professional development, and long-term success.
The Industry Engagement Award, sponsored by James (Jim) and Jane Menditto, recognizes an external organization that demonstrates an exceptional commitment to supporting students through meaningful industry engagement. This award highlights partners who go beyond traditional recruitment by actively contributing to experiential learning, mentorship, and collaborative opportunities that enhance student success and strengthen career readiness.
About this award's sponsors:
Jim and Jane (Dill) Menditto are longtime supporters of Miami and CEC. Jim, a '70 Manufacturing Engineering graduate, and Jane, a '65 Speech Pathology graduate, were both first-generation college students who have taken to heart the concepts of giving back and helping others have opportunities. Jim and Jane’s hope is that their giving back with their time, connections, and philanthropy makes a Miami education available to more future engineers, and they hope that it will inspire those engineers, and you, to create opportunities for others as well.
2026 CEC K-12 Impact Award
James Walden
James Walden, Ph.D. has made a lasting impact on K–12 outreach through his enthusiastic and ongoing commitment to engaging young learners. He regularly volunteers his time to represent the College of Engineering and Computing at outreach events, visits local schools, and dedicates weekends to organizations such as INTERAlliance and Scouting America. Through these efforts, Professor Walden shares his passion for cybersecurity and computing careers, inspiring students to explore STEM pathways and envision themselves as the next generation of technology leaders.
The CEC K–12 Impact Award recognizes an internal or external individual or organization that demonstrates an exceptional commitment to inspiring the next generation of engineers and computer scientists through sustained engagement with K–12 students. The award honors those who generously volunteer their time and expertise to expand STEM awareness, create meaningful learning experiences, and strengthen the pipeline of future innovators.